1. His Real Name Wasn’t John Wayne
Yep, John Wayne was actually born Marion Robert Morrison. He eventually dropped “Robert” and became known as Marion Morrison. Not exactly the rugged name you’d expect for the man who would embody the Wild West. Hollywood gave him the name “John Wayne,” and it stuck, giving him a legendary persona that seemed made for the screen.
2. He Was Almost a Football Star
Before he was “The Duke,” Wayne was a promising young athlete. He earned a football scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC) and played on the team until he injured his shoulder in a bodysurfing accident. Unable to keep his scholarship without playing, he had to leave USC—and that twist of fate led him straight to Hollywood.
3. He Was Known for His Striking Walk
Wayne’s unique, rolling walk became one of his trademarks, but it wasn’t intentional. In reality, it was the result of years of horseback riding combined with his 6’4″ frame. The walk became so iconic that fans would recognize it immediately—some say it was a huge part of what made him larger than life.
4. He Was a Lifelong Conservative
John Wayne was well-known for his conservative political views, which he never hid from the public. He supported anti-communist policies and was an advocate for traditional American values. In fact, his political views were so influential that he even served as the president of the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals, a conservative group in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s.
5. He Directed Just Two Films
Though he appeared in over 170 films, John Wayne only directed two movies. His directorial debut, The Alamo (1960), was a deeply personal project for him, reflecting his love for the American spirit. He followed it with The Green Berets (1968), a controversial Vietnam War film. Both movies received mixed reviews, but The Alamo still earned him respect as a filmmaker.
6. He Had a Deep Fear of Horses
Despite his career as a cowboy on screen, Wayne wasn’t actually a fan of horses! He did develop a working comfort around them over time, but it took a while for him to get used to riding on camera. He wasn’t exactly thrilled by horseback scenes, but he was so professional that most fans never suspected a thing.
7. He Wasn’t the Original Choice for “Stagecoach”
Stagecoach (1939) was John Wayne’s breakout role, but he wasn’t even the studio’s first choice. The role of the Ringo Kid was initially meant for actor Gary Cooper. However, Cooper was too expensive, and Wayne was brought in. His performance in Stagecoach made him a star, and Hollywood never looked back.
8. He Used a Little Help to Look Taller
Already a towering 6’4”, Wayne added an inch or two with a secret weapon: lifts in his boots. These little adjustments made him look even more imposing on screen, helping cement his presence as a Western giant—literally and figuratively.
9. He Survived Cancer and Fought Hard
In 1964, Wayne was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent surgery to remove a lung and a few ribs. He made a remarkable recovery and became a passionate advocate for cancer research, even though he rarely discussed his illness publicly. The fight was so personal that he helped popularize the term “The Big C” as a way of referring to cancer.
10. He Co-Founded a Whisky Brand
Wayne was known for loving a good drink, and in his later years, he co-founded Duke Spirits, a whisky and bourbon brand inspired by his love of spirits. The brand, created by his family, still exists today and is meant to capture his spirit and love of the American West, with his favorite drink in mind.
11. He Almost Starred in High Noon
Wayne turned down the lead role in High Noon, which was ultimately played by Gary Cooper. But his refusal wasn’t about scheduling—it was because Wayne disagreed with the film’s message, which he felt didn’t align with his views on heroism and American values. Ironically, the film became a classic, but Wayne stood by his choice.
12. He Received His Only Oscar at Age 62
Despite his many iconic roles, John Wayne didn’t win an Academy Award until late in his career. He finally received the Best Actor Oscar for his role as the grizzled Rooster Cogburn in True Grit (1969). Wayne, never one for public displays of emotion, accepted the award with a few simple words: “If I’d known, I would have put that patch on 35 years earlier.”
